Back from kkb

Hey guys and girls,

I'm back from KKB, short for Kuala Kubu Baru. You see, it is part of our Rotation Posting.

I find it good training to be posted to such a rural area at this early stage of our medical studies. It helps prepare us both mentally and physically for what we would go through when we are being posted to rural areas when we become Medical Officers in the future.

It was nothing short of interesting.......

What do you want me to talk about....the good side or the bad side of kkb?

Oklah....I'll give you the good first ;)

1) We witness a delivery!! Well, several actually, but we girls actually were there for an entire delivery process on Sunday night. It was enthusiasm on our part too, changing to our lab coats right after dinner and walking back to the hospital wards, waiting outside Ward 5, and pestering the nurses there every once in a while :p It looked like such a painful process!! The mother was letting out intermittent screams of pain. She was in the second stage of labor and the two nurses (maybe one midwife?) was encouraging her to push. It is...amazing how huge a vaginal hole can be during delivery....
The placental delivery is the most gross part. So much blood involved, so messy.
The most painful part seemed to be when the nurse was stitching up the episotomy wound. The mother was wincing in pain.
The baby, a boy, just couldn't stop crying from the moment he was born until we finally left the ward actually the entire procedure.

2) Learning stuff
Ok, not the most interesting thing, but that is the main reason we went there anyways. To clerk patients......taking their proper history and performing physical examination on them. I was paired up with Jon, which was great :) We worked well together as a team. Today Dr. Lim (whom I like) went through some physical examination with us as well.

3) Food
The food in kkb isn't bad at all. (excluding lunch in the hospital canteen, hahah). We went to 98 restaurant during the 1st and 3rd night, and visited the Pasar Malam on Tuesday night. So much delicious food on sale! :p

4) Friends
Last but not least, the group of people you are stuck in kkb with :p They make the stay much more tolerable. My 7 roommates- Alicia Sii, Doreen, Sandy, Vivien, Pei Chii and Sara Teh.....it's great being in a room with them :)
The late night snacks, movies (since Pei Chii, Doreen and I brought our laptops), the chatting, Sandy singing song from 'A Walk to Remember' over and over again while counting down the no. of days left till we leave kkb....... Getting to know Sara and Doreen and Pei Chii and the Malay and Indian girls better.....
The surprise birthday party for Lameena.
And thanks Doreen for letting me place my laptop at the boot of your car all the time! :p

And the bad....

a) Insects:- mosquitoes, creepy crawlies everywhere

b) Cold showers

c) Dirty toilets- one of my biggest pet peeves, I've to admit. I take toilet hygiene very seriously!

d) The nurses.....they are not the friendliest bunch, mostly just ignoring us medical students.
Oh well....guess they are too busy with their daily work....

KKB
sweet and sour pork
chicken and tofu
More food!
Group photo- urrghhh why so blur?! :/
Me and Lameena
the nurses's hostel

an adorable newborn baby girl

GP posting

Now for some updates about what has been going on recently in my life.....

Last Friday....completed Literature selectives....handed in individual and paired portfolios. (I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lynn Xuan- don't know how I would have done for the paired portfolio if not for her).
The group video presentation on Friday went on well. (I wasn't prepared to talk in front of the audience though- it was a last minute offer on my part). But yeah....Lenster and Mervin especially did a very good job with editing the video. (I know next to nil about editing so I couldn't help much). I really enjoyed watching the other groups presentations as well. I think every group deserves a pat on the back for a job well done.
I don't regret at all chosing Literature as a selective...I really enjoyed the course =)

This week from Monday to Friday, I am having GP posting here in my hometown Kuching. I am attached to Dr. Kang, a very experienced General Practioner here. I remember quickly writing my name down for his clinic the day the GP list was circulated, because he was the only GP from Kuching listed there!
Initially, I didn't even plan on coming back here to Kuching. I didn't want to come back for one week just for GP posting, return back to KL for 2 weeks, and come back to Kuching for another 3 weeks before returning back to KL for the start of semester 5. But I couldn't find a partner to pair up with over there.....and transport is a huge problem. So to solve all matters, I booked a flight back here.
Dr.Kang turns out to be a very nice doctor. He has been practising for about 40 years now. He graduated from Birmingham University and has worked in the UK for quite a bit before returning back to Malaysia. He seems very experienced in dealing with not only patients, but also medical students. He taught me and explained to me a lot of things. When he is performing a procedure on a patient, he would explain in detail to me what exactly he is doing. And he let me take history from some patients. I got to observe rectal examination, haemorroid ligation, taking blood, abdominal examinations, breast examination, ear, throat and mouth examination, and more.
Today he discussed with me about the topic hypertension, which he asked me to read up on yesterday. Tomorrow we will be discussing about diabetes. :p
He told me stories about his experience as a doctor.
The best thing is the he is a Christian as well....so we had even more things to discuss about.

There are 4 nurses working for me...including one older male nurse. They all had been working in this clinic for more than 20 years average. This amazes me how dedicated they are to the doctor! They are all very friendly as well, talking to me and making me feel at home in the clinic. (and even making me the occasional cup of coffee!) And the male nurse especially....he lets me take the blood pressure of the patients and interview them after that.

So yeah....that's about it for now...I have 2 more days of GP posting left. Then it's off to KKB (Kuala Kubu Baru) hospital for 3 days and 3 nights next week and then the other rotation activities.

I feel blessed =)

p.s. Ermm.....it has been a bit quiet around here lately, hasn't it? ;)

Why?

One of the most common questions asked in daily life. Why? Kenapa? Wei shen me? Por que?

Why does this happen to me?

Why do I always score borderline grades? Is it because I don't put in enough effort in my studies? Or is it due to using an ineffective study method? Or is it due to some other reason?

I don't know.

*throws hands up in frustration*

But at least I always pass...

But is it ok to just be happy with a pass result? Hmmm.....

The latest additions to the Jolie-Pitt brood

If you keep in touch with the latest celebrity news......you would have known that Angeline Jolie just gave birth to twins- a boy and a girl - a few days ago.

The twins bring the Jolie-Pitt brood to 8 in number. And still counting?

You know what? I was just wondering.....when the children grow up.... whether they would continue being one big happy family? Or will the children be divided according to whether they have been adopted or are the biological children?

Maddox (adopted from Cambodia), Zahara (adopted from Ethiopia), Pax (adopted from Vietnam), Shiloh (biological) and now the twins..

I wonder where the next Jolie-Pitt child is going to be from?



p.s. I found my leather shoes today! They were at the Lost and Found.

Careless....

Uggh.....I can't believe how careless I am.

Here is the list of things I have lost/misplaced over the past couple of months...

a) my dark blue 'GAP' pencil box....with stationery and pen drive inside. It has been serving me faithfully ever since I was in secondary school

b) a white file containing literature notes, a copy of the Daily Bread and a few CVS notes

c) brown leather shoes which costs over RM100

I am so angry and frustrated with myself. I really need to change my careless attitude!!

Stepping out of my comfort zone

Lately, God has been challenging me to step out of my comfort zone. Before this....I was content just merely attending cell group and church service. But very recently, I feel that God is telling me to gather the courage to take it one step further.....and start serving. Instead of being a mere spectator, He wants me to start getting involved.

I want to start serving in church and cell group, but I don't know exactly how or where to start...... (I'm very thankful though that the M206 batch cell group gives me the opportunity to serve and grow)
Transport might be a problem, commitment is another problem. I don't want to commit half-heartedly to something. If I sign up for something, I have to see it right through to the end. Or else I wouldn't sign up for it.

I hope that I can step out in courage and start serving God faithfully!

Also, I am so glad today that someone actually made it a point to talk through some things with me. Like the person said....communication is the key....we cannot solve conflicts if we don't communicate our feelings, wants and needs to each other. Communication is a two way thing.
I'm just glad for the chat today. I really hope it cleared some misunderstandings or animosity among us. I feel like a burden has been lifted from my heart. =)

What is the message?

Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston

Verse 1:
See it started at the park
Used to chill at the dark
Oh when you took my heart
That's when we fell apart
Coz we both thought
That love lasts forever (lasts forever)
They say we're too young
To get ourselves sprung
Oh we didn't care
We made it very clear
And they also said
That we couldn't last together (last together)

Refrain:
See it's very define, girl
One of a kind
But you mush up my mind
You walk to get declined
Oh Lord...
My baby is driving me crazy

Chorus:
You're way too beautiful girl
That's why it'll never work
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal
When you say it's over
Damn all these beautiful girls
They only wanna do your dirt
They'll have you suicidal, suicidal
When they say it's over




James Blunt's 'You're Beautiful'

Watch the video right to the end and notice what he does at the very end...


'How To Save A Life' - The Frays (soundtrack of 'Grey's Anatomy)

Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
And you begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
[ How To Save A Life lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
And pray to God he hears you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life




These 3 songs...we learnt in Literature class today.
They all convey one common message......suicide.

Suicide has become so rampant in the world today... especially among teenagers. So much to the extent that it has almost become acceptable to the society.

I don't know about you, but for me personally, attempting suicide is the sign of that person totally giving up all hope of life on earth. It's the easy way out of all of life's troubles.
But when someone commits suicide....who suffers most? Not that person. He/she is already gone anyways. It's the loved ones they leave behind that suffer the consequences and bear the emotional trauma.
Imagine a situation where a man who owns loan sharks so much money and they harrass him all the time. One day, he couldn't take it anymore and hangs himself. How about his wife and children he leaves behind? They have to face and loan sharks and suffer the consequences themselves. Sad isn't it? Even sadder (I think) are those who kill their entire family with them , thinking it would spare their loved ones from suffering. Taking the lives of innocent people......who still have a whole life ahead of them to live.

At least for Christians, we still have hope in Jesus when everything in life goes wrong.

Science vs Faith/Religion/Magic

Lately….I’ve been reminded a lot about the debate of Science vs Faith.

In today’s lecture for our Literature Selectives. The guest speaker ( I forgot his name!) brought up this issue from the very beginning. In the poem that we were studying today, the poet- Edgar Alan Poe- accuses science of taking away the magic from the surroundings. His question was….whether we agree or not with the poet , that because science always tries to come up with explanations for everything….whether it destroys the ‘magic’ things we used to deem mystical. For example, the full moon which used to fill us with wonder when we were children, is now merely another rotating object in the universe. The Tamarine tree which is considered sacred by many communities, is now just a tree producing a particular chemical compound.

Can everything in the world be explained by science?

Also, from the very first day….when we were discussing ‘The Doctor’s Word’, and how the patient actually miraculously recovered from his illness when the doctor thought that he wasn’t going to survive. When miracles like this occur….how can we explain it? Psychological intervention? Or a force, a power from above?

In my favourite TV series ‘Lost’, Science Vs Faith is a huge debate as well. Dr. Jack Shepard, the main character, is a Man of Science. He believes that everything that occurs has a scientific explanation to it. John Locke, a fellow Oceanic 815 Survivor, on the other hand, is a Man of Faith. He believes that fate brought him to the island, that he was meant to be on the island, and that the island had mystical properties.
One interesting scene was an exchange between the 2, in one of the earlier episodes of season 1. Jack confessed that he had seen his Father (who died recently) on the island. When Locke asked Jack what scientific explanation he could come up with for that…..he replied ‘ Hallucination, dehydration, confusion’
Then Locke added….’How about if I tell you that the island has mystical properties? Would you believe it?’

The debate goes on.

For me personally, I think that science cannot exist without faith and faith cannot exist without science. In both the Quran and Bible, there are verses that refer to science.
For example….the Surah al-Baqarah in the Quran (yes, I still can remember!) that tells accurately of how the fetus is formed in the womb. Amazing. There is science in faith.
On the other hand, how can you explain how a patient who is initially only given 3 months to live- goes on to live for 30 more years? We need faith as well!

is this an apparition? a ghost? Or is Jack hallucinating?

Locke and Jack- man of faith vs man of science

Fed up

If you have been keeping up with the latest national news, either through the newspapers or TV, you would know about the latest political turmoil which hit the country. I wouldn't go into detail about it. I just want to point out something....

Everytime two opposing political powers battle against each other.....who loses? The people. The ordinary citizens like you and I. It's we who become the victims indirectly. Increasing petrol and electricity prices.
Instead of bickering with one another, why can't the government cast aside all their differences and work together to improve the standards of living for the people?

The same goes for wars. Everytime their is a war, the innocent civilians get caught in the middle and become victims, become sacrificial lambs.

Ah well, some things just never change ;)

p.s I really hope I don't get into trouble for this!

God's plan

During my Literature selectives, the statement about God's plan keeps on popping up somehow.

On Tuesday, when the guest speaker ( I forgot his name) was discussing with us about the text 'Ibrahim Something', he brought up the question of free will vs destiny. How much of where we are today and what we have or will achieve in the future is due to our destiny? And how much of it is actually due to our own sweat and toil?

And tonight, when I watched 'I am Legend' (which we are going to discuss in class next Monday) there was one scene where the woman Anna mentioned....'This is God's plan for me to be here' or something along that line. Will Smith's character disagreed with her.

For me personally, I think that where I am today ( as a medical student and future doctor) is a combination of both free will and destiny. I had to work hard and toil all the way to get to where I am now. Had I just been lepaking around in video arcades when I was younger, instead of being the obedient daughter who stays at home to study every day, I would end up in a totally different place right now.

However, where I am now is also due to destiny.

I, for one, do believe that God has a sovereign plan for each of us. He has carefully crafted us in our mother's womb, and since then ,he has already had every step of our lives planned out for us. It is God's plan for me to become a doctor. If not, I wouldn't have been accepted into IMU. I remember how I took the telephone interview from the Dean very lightly, thinking that it was just for fun and I wouldn't be coming here anyway.

But I learnt that God has other plans, and you don't argue or wrestle when it comes to God.

Sometimes, you can plan out every single detail of your future for all you want- from the university you want to study in, the degree you want to obtain, the person you want to marry, how many children you want.....but in the end, not everything goes according to plan.

That's why for me at least, it's important to surrender to God, because He knows best.

I do not mean that we leave everything to God and just sit back and relax. No. We still have to strive hard to achieve success in life.

Take for example, exams. We study very hard and do all we can to achieve excellent results. But at the end of the day, after trying our very best, we lift it all up to God and let Him do the rest =)
So as a conclusion, God has a plan for each and every one of us....but it's up to us to decide how we are going to get there.

Recovery

Finally, I can say that I've come round.

It took me a whole 5 days to get that damn summative out of my head. But finally I did it! *applauds self*

The past 5 days had taught me a lot of things. Plenty of time for self-reflection, self-reevaluation. Reestablishing priorities, working on bad habits and forming good ones.

I almost entered into a deep pit of depression, even though externally I was still trying to enjoy the freedom of not having to slug for exams. Went to Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Pyramid, went Sungei Wang shopping today, went swimming almost every night.

But deep inside, I just couldn't stop blaming myself for what happened on Friday, analyzing over and over in my head about the entire situation, about what exactly went wrong, and what should have been.

I knew that I should forget what is behind and look towards what lies ahead and God's plan in the future. But I just simply couldn't. I prayed and prayed to just clear the thought from my head and just move on. But I could'nt. But finally I suceed now. :) And the result: my walk with God is stronger now.

No matter what my results will be now, I'll accept it and move on. EOS5 lies ahead.

On a side note, I am really enjoying the Literature selectives! I'm so glad I chose this option :)

Instead of reading lecture notes, I get to read stories related to medicine. Instead of listening to the lecturer standing in front droning on about Acute Tubular Necrosis, I get to hear about the different types of issues and questions we have to face as doctors in the future. And I get to actively participate in a class discussion, instead of nodding off in the lecture hall. Throw in some poems, a movie (I am Legend) and the song 'Beautiful Girls' by Sean Kingston (of all songs they have to chose this? :p ) this really seems like a fun month ahead for me.

And the best part of all is that....there is no exams! Reflections, pair assignments, group presentations replace exams. But personally, I would very much prefer assignments and projects and presentations and written portfolios compared to exams!! I know some people would beg to differ here, but that is my personal opinion. ;) I really really hate exams, I struggle so much when it comes to them.

So I've decided that I'm going to earn a medical degree and become a doctor in the future. (Since that is the logical thing to do.) And then I would write a book about my patients, or something related to medicine. And the book will be published someday, mark my word =)

I'll leave you now with some photos from my post exam trip to Sunway Lagoon =)

I wouldn't go into the details about how I ended up in the First Aid Room (diagnosis: a combination of hypoglycaemia and lack of sleep). But the wet part was really fun and I really enjoyed the slides!!